This article is from page 5 of the 2006-08-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
IN A defection not seen since the ending of the Cold War, Fianna Fáil councillor, PJ Kelly has confirmed that he is applying to join An Taisce.
The move by the leader of the Fianna Fáil group at Clare County Council will come as a surprise to many, as Cllr Kelly has excoriated An Taisce in various forums in recent times.
Recently, Cllr Kelly labelled An Taisce “Ireland’s only secret society that receives State recognition” and speculated that its number might include members from al-Qaeda and the CIA. Cllr Kelly has also christened members of An Taisce as “born-againsts”.
However, in a national radio discussion with the Director of An Taisce, Cllr Kelly said, “I am making my application here now (to join An Taisce) and I am hoping that your chairman will accept it over the airwaves.” In response, Mr Harte said, “Why wouldn’t he?”
Cllr Kelly said that he hoped he would not have to take an oath of allegiance over joining An Taisce.
He said, “I only know of one An Taisce member in Clare, my good friend Oliver Moylan, and I don’t know if there are other members and if there are, I certainly would love to know their names. There is a rumour circulating here that An Taisce holds its AGM in a phone box in O’Connell Square in Ennis.”
Cllr Kelly said that it was “totally unacceptable that we have a secret society and I would like to know who the plain-clothes members of An Taisce are”.
Cllr Kelly said that last year, An Taisce made 852 observations on planning applications in Clare.
“I don’t think the planning department should be clogged up by the frustrations of the bornagainsts.”
Green party councillor, Brian Meaney said yesterday, “It is a free country and anyone can apply to join any organisation if they wish, but I would be suspicious of Cllr Kelly’s motives in seeking to join. If PJ has seen the light, he can also apply to join the Green Party.”